1911 $5 PR67 PCGS. CAC. After the matte finish of the proof
1908 quarter eagles and half eagles brought complaints from
collectors accustomed to mirrored-field proofs, the Mint changed
its process for 1909 and 1910. As recorded by Roger W. Burdette in
his Renaissance of American Coinage 1905-1908, "Unlike the
dull, or sandblast proofs made in 1908, the mint tried making the
collectors' coins by striking the pieces on a medal press as was
usually done for proofs, but with no post-striking treatment."
The so-called "Roman Finish" coins of 1909 and 1910 did little to
stifle complaints from the mirrored-finish partisans; instead, they
created new gripes among those who favored matte proofs. William
Woodin, the prominent numismatist who would later become Secretary
of the Treasury, kept up a correspondence with Mint officials in
which he decried the "Roman" proofs and asked for old-style matte
proofs as a special favor. While Woodin's request was denied by a
high-ranking member of the Treasury Department, the door was left
open for the next year's proofs to have the dull matte finish.
If matte proofs are an acquired taste, then this Superb Gem from
1911 is caviar. Deep mustard-gold color shows occasional hints of
orange on fine-grained surfaces that are impressively preserved.
The strike is strong, and neither side shows any individually
mentionable distractions. A landmark specimen, one of five tied for
finest certified by PCGS (8/11).(Registry
values: N10218) (PCGS# 8542)